Frame of Mind
We’ve all heard or used the phrase, “frame of mind,” describing our mental attitude or outlook. When you’re choosing a frame for a picture, you choose one that you like, one that compliments the photo it will surround. Using that thought, when we’re talking of our ‘frame of mind,’ we have a choice…we can surround our mind with beauty and positivity or we can we can have a terrible ‘frame of mind’ by surrounding it with destructive, negative thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Take captive…we have the power to bind or let loose every thought that comes into our head. If your thoughts are positive and uplifting, let them roam free and take up space in your mind. If they are hostile or negative, TAKE THEM CAPTIVE…IMMEDIATELY, knowing that they are not truth…knowing they’ll do damage to your mind and soul.
We see a great example of this in the life of Paul. He suffered a LOT of things (see 2 Cor. 11) yet he rejoiced and gave God praise through it all. Philippians 3:8 says, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” What a powerful way to ‘frame’ what is happening in his life. Instead of writing to the Philippians and telling them his life sucks and he might as well just give up and die, he uses all his suffering to change the hearts and lives of thousands, winning them to Jesus.
If you think about it, circumstances are almost always out of control, so instead of worrying about them, reframe them and turn it back on those who mean to harm you. When Paul was in prison, he didn’t sit and mope, he prayed, he danced and he sang praises to God. You can read it for yourself in Acts 16. An earthquake shook the walls of the prison and all the doors opened. A guard was about to kill himself, knowing he’d lose his job, or his life, for letting all the prisoners escape. But Paul stopped him, showing him that everyone was still there. The guard was so amazed, he fell to his knees and asked to be saved.
If you’re dealing with something or feeling like the prison walls are closing in on you, pray, dance and give praise to God. He may not send an earthquake, but by changing your frame of mind, you might just win others to Christ, and THAT is something to celebrate!